Ugueth Urtaín Urbina Villarreal (English pronunciation: /uːˈɡɛt ʊərˈbiːnə/) (born (February 15, 1974 in Caracas, Venezuela) is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. A two-time All-Star, Urbina led the National League in saves with 41 in the 1999 season and helped the Florida Marlins win the 2003 World Series.

Urbina is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence in his home country after being convicted on two charges of attempted murder.

Urbina's son, Juan Urbina, signed with the New York Mets as an international free agent on July 2, 2009.

[edit] Playing career

In 11 major league seasons, Urbina compiled a 44-49 record with 237 saves, 814 strikeouts, and a 3.45 ERA. He played with the Montreal Expos (1995-2001), Boston Red Sox (2001-2002), Texas Rangers (2003), Florida Marlins (2003), Detroit Tigers (2004-2005), and Philadelphia Phillies (2005).

Urbina started his career as a dominant closer with the Expos, then was traded to the Red Sox on July 31, 2001, for Tomo Ohka and Rich Rundles. Urbina left Boston as a free agent after the 2002 season, and signed with the Rangers for one year. He was traded on July 11, 2003, to the Marlins for Adrian Gonzalez, Will Smith, and Ryan Snare. Urbina signed a two-year contract with the Tigers after 2003. On June 8, 2005, the Tigers traded Urbina with Ramon Martinez to the Philadelphia Phillies for infielder Plácido Polanco. He played his final game on October 2, 2005, for the Phillies.

[edit] Pitching attributes

Urbina's pitches included a moving fastball and a slider that enabled him to hold left-handed hitters in check. He also threw a changeup which tailed away from right-handers and a splitter that broke sharply. He batted and threw right-handed.

[edit] Attempted murder conviction in Venezuela

On November 7, 2005, Urbina was arrested by Venezuelan authorities on a charge of attempted murder for an incident that occurred a few weeks earlier, on October 16.^[1] Urbina attacked five farm workers on his property whom he had accused of stealing a gun. The pitcher tried to injure them both with a machete and also attempted to pour gasoline on them. On March 28, 2007, Urbina was convicted of attempted murder.^[2]He was sentenced to 14 years in prison.^[2]

[edit] See also

• List of Major League Baseball saves champions
• List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference